Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   6                    egg yolks
     1/2  cup           granulated sugar
   2      tablespoons   brandy or almond extract
   1 1/3  cups          extra strong coffee
   1      pound         mascarpone or ricotta cheese
   1 1/2  cups          cream -- whipping
  24                    ladyfingers -- giant Italian
   4      ounces        chocolate semisweet -- chopped

Preparation:

In bowl, beat egg yolks with sugar till light about 5 minutes. Whisk in 1/2 cup coffee and 1 tbsp brandy or almond extract. Transfer to double boiler, over gently simmering water, whisk for about 7 minutes, till thickened. Let cool. Beat cheese till smooth, fold into egg mixture. Whip cream, stir 1/4 into egg mixture. Fold in remaining cream. Combine remaining strong coffee and 1 Tbsp brandy or almond extract. Arrange 1/2 of ladyfingers in 11X7" glass baking dish, brush with half of coffee mixture. Spread with half of cream mixture. Repeat layers. Top with chocolate. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Can be frozen for up to 2 weeks, let defrost in fridge for 24 hours.